Coventry University (CU) is inviting applications from suitably-qualified graduates for a fully-funded PhD studentship. This PhD project is part of the Cotutelle arrangement between Coventry University, UK and Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia.

This is a fully funded doctorate for 3.5 years in duration, with tuition fees covered and bursary / stipend paid. The successful applicant will spend 1 year at Deakin and 2.5 years at Coventry, with a supervision team drawn from the two Universities. This is a unique opportunity to conduct doctorate level research at two leading international Universities. Costs associated with travel between the UK and Australia are covered by the programme.

Project details

Fully automated driving (FAD) is expected to increase road safety. However, in a dynamic traffic environment, the deployment of FAD on public roads raises questions not only on the interactions with other vehicles, but also with all sorts of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, and now future mobility users such as micromobility. Furthermore, crossing the road is the most frequent event in pedestrian accidents (NHTSA, 2015) and in 2018 pedestrians accounted for 26% of road deaths in Great Britain (DfT, 2019). Therefore, it is crucial to investigate pedestrian-FAD interactions when crossing a road, and their possible variations over time.

While the design of FAD exterior human-machine interface supports transparency as regards the vehicle status and intention, it does not shed light on how pedestrians adapt their behaviour when crossing a road after repeated exposures. This seems particularly relevant as previous research showed that automotive safety measures (e.g. ABS) led to road users' behavioural adaptation (e.g. driving with shorter time headways between vehicles), offsetting the initial intended safety effect. To comprehend and model behavioural adaptation under such circumstances, the proposed longitudinal research applies innovation in terms of the application of the risk homeostasis, an immersive approach of pedestrian simulation in virtual reality, and a range of behavioural and attitudinal measures.

Funding

This is a fully-funded studentship, including tuition fees and stipend/bursary.

This PhD project is part of the Cotutelle arrangement between Coventry University, UK and Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. This is a fully-funded doctorate for 3.5 years in duration, with tuition fees covered and bursary/stipend paid. The successful applicant will spend 1 year at Deakin and 2.5 years at Coventry, with a supervision team drawn from the two Universities. This is a unique opportunity to conduct doctorate level research at two leading international Universities. Costs associated with travel between the UK and Australia are covered by the programme.

Benefits

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills.

All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral College and Centre for Research Capability and Development, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.

Entry requirements

Applicants must meet the admission and scholarship criteria for both Coventry University and Deakin University for entry to the cotutelle programme.

This includes:

A minimum of a 2:1 first degree (second class honours upper division) in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 70% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 70% overall module average OR a Masters degree in a relevant subject area, with overall mark at minimum Merit level. In addition, the mark for the Masters dissertation (or equivalent) must be a minimum of 70%.
The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study.
Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).

For an overview of each University’s entry requirements please visit:

Please note that it is essential that applicants confirm that they are able to physically locate to both Coventry University (England) and Deakin University (Australia) and will spend:

The 1st Year at Coventry University
The 2nd Year at Deakin University
The final 3rd ½ Year at Coventry University

How to apply

To find out more about the project please contact Dr. William Payre.

If interested, who should you apply to?

All of the research projects have been jointly agreed, and a lead institution identified for each project. The lead institution is clearly identified within the details of each of the advertised research projects. The applicant should apply to both institutions.

What is the application process?

Applications are submitted to both institutions. Applicants must ensure they meet eligibility requirements. Selection involves academic staff from both institutions. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by a panel including academic staff from each institution. Applicants will need to submit copies of certificates to both institutions in line with their respective requirements.

All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.